Thailand Diaries, Part IV

Light rays pierce the sky, dashing across the field in a final blaze of color. Gold and purple trace the clouds as the sun slowly dies behind a mountainside. My yelling teammates reel me back to the war at hand. I breathe heavy and stare down the field towards the soccer goal. Mud cakes my ankles, splatters my white calves. My opponents wear their mud better. Their shirtless bodies ripple in the waning light as they glide across the slick field. I'm simply trying to stay upright. I wonder, is my face red with heat or embarrassment over my last fall? Tomorrow, I'll play volleyball with the girls.

The week flew, powered by pressure to complete class projects before next week's tests as well as individual interviews with the students for the documentary. Here's a sampling of their stories.

"Andrea" Moo Nay Paw's joyful eyes could chase away a storm. Though she blushes and laughs freely, her smile covers much pain. Andrea was standing beside her mother when a Burmese soldier killed her. The neighbors and villagers fled as the soldiers pursued. But Andrea curled beside her mother, hoping she was just sleeping. She tells me she wants to sleep and dream about heaven and seeing her parents again, but she cannot.

This morning, we interviewed "Mary" Htoo Lar Paw. Just shy of sixteen, Mary is strikingly beautiful, smiles easily, and studies diligently. She grew up in a refugee camp with her older sister and brothers. Both her parents died in Burma's jungles of treatable diseases. As a result, Mary's dream is to study medicine in the U.S. and become a doctor and translator for her people. She's not afraid to board a plane and travel far away. Adventure lies behind her eyes. She wants to see the world. The landlocked girl wants to feel the ocean.

Next week they return to the refugee camps for a three week "vacation" from school. They hate the return, but are excited to show us their world. I'm looking forward to the journey.

Andrew